Human Earth Animal Liberation (HEAL)

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Teens in Peril

  Please use left side bar for links to more information on teen liberty and the torture of American children in the epidemically growing fraudulent, brainwashing teen torture cult industry.  We do not use these words lightly.

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TEENS LEARN YOUR RIGHTS & PROTECT YOURSELVES!

 

 

FRAUDULENT AND ABUSIVE “TREATMENT” CENTERS

 

 

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS!

 

 

 

Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility that denies you one on one contact with your child AT ANY TIME.  Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility that requires a liability waiver for any harm caused to your child.  Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility that denies them access to a telephone.  Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility that uses confrontational "therapy"!  Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility where their phone calls with you are monitored.  Warning!  Do not place your child in any facility that expects total and unquestioned support of parents.

 

(Watch the Congressional Hearing)

 

 

 

 

 ***VISIT THE NEW SURVIVOR MESSAGE FORUM!***

 

 

 

The residential treatment and wilderness "therapy" programs have been denounced by the National Institute of Health as being harmful to children and families as well as ineffective in dealing with teen problems. There are multiple resources that expose the fraud and abuse of this industry. Some authors to check out are Dr. Peter Breggin, Alexia Parks, and Maia Szalavitz. Dr. Peter Breggin is author of mutiple books regarding appropriate treatment for teens (see Reclaiming Our Children by Dr. Peter Breggin). Alexia Parks authored "An American Gulag" exposing the "teen help" industry and Maia Szalavitz has written two great books exposing the fraud and abuse inherent in this industry, "Tough Love America" and "Help at Any Cost".
 
We suggest parents do not remove their children from their home environment unless they pose an immediate threat to themselves or others. Leading expert in adolescent psychology and head of the Department of Psychology at the University of California--Berkeley, Dr. Margaret Singer, has spoken out against these programs in great detail saying that they make a child's worst nightmare of abandonment come true and that the people who run these programs are slick businessmen with no training or expertise in helping teens appropriately. Maia Szalavitz, author of "Tough Love America", cites the National Institute of Health studies on these programs that have determined that they are harmful and not helpful to teens or their families. Szalavitz also stated on the Jan. 18th, 2005 episode of Montel Williams that even when children/teens pose an immediate threat to themselves or others that at most a short stay (1-4 weeks) in a local psychiatric hospital to deescalate the situation is what is needed followed by intensive out-patient family counseling.
 
The "schools" listed on our site are either suspectedly or confirmedly abusive. We recommend no one send children to a facility that matches any of the criteria on our warning signs list at www.heal-online.org/warn.htm  (see also www.isaccorp.org ) . We have successfully exposed the abuses at Bethel Boys Academy, Bethel Girls Academy (now closed), CEDU Family of Programs (all programs now closed), Mountain Park Boarding Academy (now closed), and many others. We had proof of abuse at CEDU programs up over 6 years ago and they were just closed down on Friday, 3/25/05. The system sometimes takes too long to catch up with justice and truth. That's why we exist. We exist to warn and protect families from abusive behavior modification programs.

 

If you are a survivor of one of these programs or otherwise interested in exposing fraudulent and abusive “treatment” centers or wilderness camps, please contact us.  For more information on this issue visit: http://www.heal-online.org/teen.htm.  On the HEAL website you will find links to lawsuits, news articles, and survivor websites detailing the abuses experienced at these facilities.  Also, please take a moment to read the open letter quoting government and private entities with their true intentions in these matters by visiting www.beyondbusiness.net/openletter.htm.  It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to an out of state behavior modification program.  It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to any program that limits or denies contact between you and your child at any point in their stay at the facility.  It is imperative that you DO NOT send your child to a facility that you yourself will not be monitoring on at least a weekly basis in person to monitor the treatment and well being of your child.  Be responsible, for the sake of your children.  

 

If you or your family were defrauded, abused, and/or subjected to human and civil rights violations, please get legal assistance now.  The statute of limitations varies from state to state.  You have a limited time to file a claim.  For a list of attorneys and attorney referral services that can help you in your pursuit of justice, click here.

 

If you are a parent who was coerced into putting your child on psychotropic drugs by school 

professionals, please visit: http://www.ablechild.org/data/thelist.asp.  This is a growing list of parents bullied into putting their children in harm’s way. 

 

To make a donation to HEAL specifically for our Teen Liberty/Stop Child Abuse Campaign, please click here.  We need your full support to insure needed exposure for this campaign!  Get involved, donate or volunteer today!

 

Also, we believe ALL programs outside of the US are suspect and ask that you read the U.S. State Department’s warning regarding international programs by clicking here.  They have softened the warning from the original.  We believe this is due to the corruption in the State Department, Justice Department, and the White House.  Do not, under any circumstances, risk your child’s life in a program outside of the U.S.

 

HEAL is not a referral service.  We do not advocate placement of children in unregulated, private, 

behavior modification programs or facilities.  Please do not contact us for referrals or approval of your 

subjecting a child to this corrupt and destructive industry.  

 

 

 

 

 

If you are unable to find the answers you are looking for, please visit: www.heal-online.org/help.htm

 

Following is a “work in progress” list of suspected and confirmed abusive behavior modification programs in the  United States.  If you have survived an abusive behavior modification program, please contact us and tell us your  experience.  We will post your experience and details about the facility on this website.  We can protect your identity  if you so desire.  Understand that this is an incomplete list and that it is your responsibility to look heavily into the  program(s) which you consider placing your child into.  Please use the following drop down menu to select  programs by state or name or simply scroll down the page:

 

 

 

ALABAMA

Alabama Teen Challenge in Oxford (& cities of Bay Minette, Warrior, ), AL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here.  To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here.  To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here

 

 

New Beginnings in AL is a Three Springs program.   Based on multiple survivor accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee (employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.  Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this time.  If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in their care, please contact us.  If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.  To read survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm  

 

 

New Directions Boys in Huntsville, AL is a Three Springs program.   Based on multiple survivor accounts of other Three Springs programs and former employee (employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we find Duck River Boys to be highly suspect.  Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this time.  If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in their care, please contact us.  If you were at their follow up transitional facility and experienced abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.  To read survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm

 

 

Reclamation Ranch in Empire, AL is connected to Rachael Academy. These programs are descendants of the Roloff homes and are confirmedly abusive. There is a photo on their website of the Director proudly posing with the plane that Roloff died in. If you were in Reclamation Ranch or would like to contact us please click here.
 

 

 

Teen Challenge, Int’l in Seale, AL is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here.  To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here.  To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

 

Three Springs of Courtland, Three Springs Turning Point, and Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley are lock down facilities with around the clock observation of children in their care.  Based on the description as of February 13, 2004 at the teenprogram.info site, linked to the program title at the beginning of this description and former employee (employed at Three Springs of Paint Rock Valley facility) allegations, we believe that Three Springs of Courtland and Three Springs of Paint Rock valley is confirmedly abusive.  Due to possible litigation in this issue and in order to protect our sources, we are not divulging more information at this time.  If you have more information on Three Springs programs and/or were abused while in their care, please contact us.  If you were at their follow up transitional facility at Three Springs Turning Point and experienced abuse or further violations of your rights, please contact us.  To read survivor reports visit: www.heal-online.org/threespgs.htm

 

 

Palmera Teen Challenge in Double Springs, Alabama is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here.  To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here.  To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

 

 

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ALASKA

Teen Challenge of Alaska in Anchorage, AK is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click hereTo visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here.  To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

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ARIZONA

America’s Buffalo Soldiers Boot Camp located in White Mountain (area), AZ is confirmedly abusive.  The founder of the program, Charles Long was found guilty of second-degree murder of Michael Villa, a child in this program.  And, in more recent news, four “counselors” involved with the program have been found guilty in the death of another boy at this camp, Anthony Haynes.  For more information visit: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0525long25.html, http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0621buffalo-ON.html and http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/classics/chuck_long/.  If you were abused or had your rights violated at America’s Buffalo Soldiers Boot Camp, please report the abuse to authorities and contact us to have your online testimonial added here as a warning to others.

 

 

Blue Hills Academy located in Dewey, AZ uses the same language as Resource Realizations and the TASKS model of behavior modification.  Their system is virtually identical to the confirmed abusive programs such as WWASPS, Provo Canyon School, and Mountain Park Boarding Academy.  Use the link to Blue Hills Academy (click on the opening title of this paragraph) and you will be taken to their “what we do that works” page.  It details a mandatory cut off of communication between parents and children during the initial phases of “healing”.  They use language such as “what works, and what doesn’t work” which is identical to the trauma-based mind control seminars of Resource Realizations.  It is our belief that because of the numerous methods used having matched the warning signs as can be found at http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm as taken from www.isaccorp.com that Blue Hills Academy is an abusive behavior modification facility and we advise you DO NOT send your child there and that you DO rescue your child at once if they are there now!  If you were abused at Blue Hills Academy please report your abuse to authorities and contact us to have your online testimonial added here as a warning to others.

 

 

Catherine Freer Wilderness Program located in Albany, OR is a confirmedly abusive behavior modification program.  A fifteen year-old girl was killed in the program in May of 2002.  Do not send your child to a program known to be responsible for the death of other children.  If you were abused in the Catherine Freer Wilderness Program, contact us and we will post your online testimonial here as a warning to others.

 

 

Copper Canyon Academy located in Lake Montezuma, AZ is suspected of being an abusive behavior modification program.  They use a level-based system similar to Provo Canyon School and the WWASPS programs.  They limit contact between parent and child to censored/shared w/ staff written correspondence while on the initial orientation level.  This contact is increased to one monthly phone call with staff supervision watching and monitoring all the child says while on the phone.  These conditions make it virtually impossible for a child to report any abuse without suffering greater risk of unnecessary and cruel punishment.  Please do not send your child to any program that limits your contact with them.  If you were abused at Copper Canyon Academy or had your rights violated in anyway (it is against federal law for them to read your incoming or outgoing written correspondence and lawsuits have shown time and again that these institutions are guilty of breaking federal laws by doing this) please contact us and we will post your online testimonial here as a warning to others. To read an online testimonial regarding abuse and violations at this facility (under previous owners) as reported by a former employee of Copper Canyon, please click here.

 

 

Oak Creek Ranch School located in Sedona, AZ is confirmedly abusive.  According to one mother, "My son went to Oak Creek Ranch School in Sedona, Arizona. We were assured that it would be a good place for a 12 year old and he would be among several others of his age, supervised and extra help with some of his learning and behavioral issues. The whole stay was a nightmare. There was only one other 12 year old, all the other kids were high school students, smoking, doing drugs and more. No supervision every night for 4 hours, kids left to roam around. Whenever I called the only supervisor would complain constantly that they were short staffed. My son was expelled for taunting another kid with bruises on his body. California Child Protective Services got involved, but nothing ever happened. I contacted the Sherriff's Dept. in Sedona, and was told that "they are good people at that school" and they weren't going to investigate. Of course, I was not refunded any tuition and my son learned everything he shouldn't have, cussing, smoking, drugs, sexual encounters with older girls. To this day, 5 years later he still will not tell us about some of the stuff that went on there, he is scarred, our whole family has been traumatized by this experience. Schools like Oak Creek Ranch School need to be put out of business!"  Please do not send your child to Oak Creek Ranch School.  If you were abused or had your rights violated by Oak Creek Ranch School, please contact us so we can post your experience here as a warning to others.  Thank you!

 

 

Parc Place located in N. Chandler, AZ is confirmedly abusive.  According to multiple former employees: "A lockdown rehabilitation facility for troubled teens in north Chandler is under fire from former employees who claim the place is plagued by violence, poor management and lax care."  See the whole news report titled, "Ex-employees question safety for troubled teens at rehab facility" at  http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=6240832&nav=HMO6. If you were abused or had your rights violated at Parc Place, please contact us and we will post your experience here as a warning to others. 

 

 

Spring Ridge Academy located in Spring Valley, AZ uses virtually the same language and systems of seminars as Resource Realizations and the TASKS model of behavior modification.  According to their application form they require parents to turn over all guardianship rights over to the school while the child is in the school.  They require a commitment of at least 15 months.  They ask parents to sign away the right to sue for any reason other than gross negligence, which they cannot legally require parents to do in the event they break the law, prove to be fraudulent and abusive, as we believe they are.  They also block communication to the outside world allowing only letters to and from parents all coming and going through staff so that no child can report their abuse to their parents without being punished.  They block phone privileges during the first month(s) of stay.  All of these are red flags according to the warning list at http://www.heal-online.org/warn.htm.  Please do not send your child to this program.  Rescue them if they are there now!  If you were abused at Spring Ridge Academy please contact us and we will post your online testimonial here as a warning to others.

 

 

Teen Challenge of Arizona in Phoenix, (and cities of Tucson, Yuma) AZ is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click hereTo visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here.  To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

 

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ARKANSAS

Teen Challenge of Arkansas in Hot Springs Village, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here.   To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

 

Teen Challenge Ranch in Morrow, AR is highly suspected of being a teen torture facility.  Teen Challenge is the only group of programs endorsed by the Drug Free America Foundation (DFAF).  DFAF was founded by Mel Sembler, former owner and director of Straight, Inc. a confirmedly torturous group of institutions for teens.   Straight, Inc. was endorsed by former US presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.  In George W. Bush’s first term (2000-2004) he appointed Mel Sembler as US ambassador to Italy.  George W. Bush instituted the “New Freedom Commission” in 2000.  The “New Freedom Commission” is a group of psychiatrists and pharmaceutical lobbyists working to insure that every child in America is drugged and virtually enslaved through behavior modification.  Please do not sent your child to any Teen Challenge program. If you were abused or had your rights violated by Teen Challenge, please contact us and we will post your story here as a warning to others.  To view confirmed statements regarding abuse at other Teen Challenge programs, click here.   To visit a survivor site for Teen Challenge survivors, click here. To read about Straight, Inc. and the Semblers, please click here.

 

 

 

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CALIFORNIA

 Blue Mountain Wilderness Program located in Camp Connell, CA is suspect.  They try to allay fears of parents who are aware of abusive programs by saying they are not abusive.  They say they don’t use the ineffective “level system” that many abusive behavior modification programs use.  Then, they go on to say that they do use a “progressive system” with different levels beginning with orientation.  There is to be no communication between child and the outside world (including parents) for the first month or while at the Orientation level.   We recommend for safety sake that you consider another option for your child’s treatment.  Children are not monsters, they are human beings who need to be respected, loved, and valued.  Try it at home, maybe that’s all the fixing your child needs!  If you were abused at Blue Mountain Wilderness Program please contact us and will post your online testimonial here as a warning to others.

 

 

CEDU Family of Services in California includes the following programs (ALL CEDU PROGRAMS NOW CLOSED AS OF 3/25/05): Rocky Mountain Academy | Boulder Creek Academy | NorthwestAcademy | CEDU High School | CEDU Middle School | King George School Programs: ASCENT Wilderness Intervention | Milestones Transitional Living | Phoenix Outdoor Education.  We confirm that CEDU programs are abusive and provide you with the CEDU lawsuits and testimonials page as well as this quote from a survivor of ASCENT Wilderness Intervention as taken from http://www.teenprogram.info/schools/view/1175: “I attended Ascent and Cedu in CA. If you love your child STAY AWAY FROM THIS SCHOOL. I can tell you stories that will make you sick. I have also heard alot of horror stories from students who attended some of the other schools on this site. Ple